venous leg ulcers

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(NC)-You've never heard of venous leg ulcers? Well, you're not alone. Results from a recent study reveal that 91 per cent of Canadians haven't either and yet 500,000 people in Canada are suffering from the condition each year. That's the same as the number of Canadians affected by Hepatitis B and C combined.

Jill Allen, registered nurse at 3M Canada, specializing in wound care, explains that these ulcers typically appear near the ankle and can develop when the blood doesn't flow properly from the legs to the heart. A small break in the skin, from a scratch or insect bite, can provide bacteria with the perfect breeding ground.

"In many cases, patients are rendered immobile by the pain and swelling, or are so sensitive about the odour of their wounds; they are embarrassed to leave their house," said Allen." Some symptoms of venous leg ulcers include: small white areas on the leg, dry and itchy skin, swelling and a feeling of heaviness in the legs."

Q: Based on this description, it seems likely that venous leg ulcers would only affect the elderly. Is this the case?

A: The condition is more common in people over the age of 65, but the population's increasingly sedentary lifestyle make venous leg ulcers prevalent in Canadians as young as 45. It's really important that people stay active.

Q: What are the other risk factors?

A: Family history, obesity, occupation and trauma to the lower leg, can also increase the probability of developing a venous leg ulcer.

Q: How much of an impact does the condition have on one's mobility?

A: A very significant impact as you can well imagine. In fact, when we asked average Canadians to imagine how a condition like this would affect their lives four in ten told us they believed that the associated lack of mobility would affect their ability to work. Twenty per cent indicated they would feel like a burden to their loved ones.

Q: What are the treatment options?

A: Compression bandages like the 3M Coban 2 Layer Compression System are the best method to help improve blood flow and control swelling by applying sustained pressure until the wound heals. A professional fitting for compression stockings to prevent wound recurrence is the next step. Ask a health professional for advice if you, or someone you know, are suffering from any of the above symptoms.